How Do I Become...An Illustrator

The most important quality for an aspiring illustrator is, he
reckons, self-belief. "Most people get told at some point that they're
no good, and publishers can be challenging to work with," he says. "The
key is to use criticism to develop your ideas but not to take it
personally."

A degree from an art college is less important
than a strong, focused portfolio, he believes. "Drawing skills aren't
taught at art college these days," he says. "I taught myself about
watercolouring from DIY books – a few terms at a drawing workshop after
work could be just as formative as a degree."

Also
important is to target overtures to companies who are relevant to a
portfolio rather than a random blitz of a business directory.